Mongolia

Mongolia, a large, landlocked country with one of the lowest population densities in the world, sits in central Asia between Russia to the north and China to the south. Grassland and semi-desert cover most of the terrain. The Gobi Desert, contrary to its name, is not exclusively desert: It includes some forests, oases, and mountains.

Population:
2,796,500

Life Expectancy:
67 years

Access to Safe Water:
85%

School Enrollment:
99%

Land Mass:
603,908 sq. mi.

Literacy Rate:
97%

Under Age 5 Mortality Rate:
28/1000

Average Annual Income (GNI):
3,160

Facts about Mongolia

Approximately 30-35 percent of people in Mongolia live in poverty.

Despite Mongolia’s economic growth rate, jobs have not been created for the poor, and government spending on welfare, social assistance, and infrastructure has not targeted the marginalized areas of the country.

The main causes of death among children in Mongolia are premature births, pneumonia, congenital abnormalities, and injuries. Undernourishment also remains a high risk factor for children.

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World Vision in Mongolia Today

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Mongolia to improve their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their children, families, and communities. Highlights of World Vision’s programs include:

Diversifying income-generation opportunities for poor households.

Remodeling and building 11 new drinking water resources, directly benefiting 7,117 households.

Increasing access to education through workshops, technical and vocational training, and informal education programs, helping to break the cycle of poverty.

Organizing activities to educate teachers and parents in 155 schools on child protection, good parenting, reproductive health, and prevention of bad habits.

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World Vision History in Mongolia

World Vision began working in Mongolia in July 1991, providing much-needed medical supplies to help clinics and hospitals that were facing a shortage. The supplies helped prevent the fast spread of disease among the people.

Since then, some major accomplishments include:

Providing meat, vegetables, baby food, rice, flour, and medicine to thousands of people affected by severe snowstorms in 1993.

Increasing access to healthcare for thousands of Mongolians during the 1990s.

Distributing food supplies to families struggling with hunger since 1999 and into the 21st century.

Helping children living in poverty to attend school and enroll in other educational programs since beginning of the 21st century.

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Geography & People

Geography and people

Mongolia, a large, landlocked country with one of the lowest population densities in the world, sits in central Asia between Russia to the north and China to the south. Grassland and semi-desert cover most of the terrain. The Gobi Desert, contrary to its name, is not exclusively desert: It includes some forests, oases, and mountains. In the north lies Lake Khövsgöl, Mongolia’s largest freshwater lake.

The continental climate brings wide temperature and weather changes throughout the seasons. Summers are usually warm and mild, and winters are often long and cold. With an average of over 200 cloudless days per year, Mongolia has earned the name Land of Blue Sky.

Most Mongolians are of ethnic Mongol groups, with the Khalkha being the largest group. About 90 percent of Mongolians speak the Khalkha Mongol dialect; the rest of the population uses Turkic or Russian.

History

During the 13th century, leader Genghis Khan established a huge Mongolian empire. After his death, the empire dwindled and eventually fell under the control of China.

Centuries later, Mongolia gained independence in 1921. A Communist government established power in Mongolia in 1924. After a peaceful democratic revolution, the first free elections took place in July 1990. Free elections continue today.

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Prayer Requests for Mongolia

For children who are subjected to trafficking and exploitation in the labor market and sex trade.

For the youth — may they be equipped to stand up against pressures related to drug and alcohol abuse.

For poor families trying to cope with high inflation and unemployment.